Do Ball Pythons Like To Climb?

The name of this popular pet, the ball python, comes from its defensive maneuver of balling up into a ball.

Because it appears to do nothing but remain on the ground, some people refer to it as the “rock python.”

Now some ball python owners question – Do Ball Pythons Like To Climb? 

Ball Pythons like to climb a little bit, thus their enclosure should have enough room for them to do so.

They aren’t particularly good climbers, though.

Let’s get into more detail in this article 

Carry on reading!

Do ball pythons like to climb?

Give your ball python some items to climb on and examine in his terrarium to add some excitement to his life.

However, many pet ball pythons manage quite fine without climbing things in their cage, so it is not required to do this.

Although it is unknown with certainty if ball pythons enjoy climbing at all, they do it when given the chance.

Although they can climb, ball pythons are not well renowned for their climbing skills.

Owners of ball pythons have reported their pets’ snakes tumbling following a clumsy ascent.

If your python were to fall from one of these climbing attempts, make sure your terrarium has a soft landing for them.

Do ball pythons like branches?

Since climbing is what they typically observe their ball pythons doing, several ball python owners claim that this is the case.

Although ball pythons are not arboreal creatures, they do exhibit some arboreal habits, like climbing branches or trees, building nests in them, and even hunting in them.

For warmth, food, or even just to satisfy their curiosity, ball pythons will climb anything.

However, compared to female ball pythons, male ball pythons typically climb more.

Younger females will ascend just as much as younger guys.

Female climbers will need less energy as they gain weight and size.

You should provide your pet some branches to climb in its enclosure because pythons have a natural affinity for climbing and love doing so in the wild.

Additionally, your pet will be stimulated and encouraged to exercise and live like it would in the wild if you provide it with objects to climb on inside the enclosure.

When you observe your pet, branches are not only aesthetically pleasing for you to view, but they also help engage their minds.

Why does my ball python keep climbing?

Some ball pythons exhibit symptoms that they are continually attempting to get out of their enclosures by scaling the walls.

These animals frequently escape from their enclosures if left unattended, especially if the lid is left open by accident.

Let’s look at the different reasons why your ball python keeps climbing

Feeding Schedule

As your young ball python matures in your house, it acquires behaviors that are influenced by a variety of elements, including observing your daily routine.

If you stick to a strict feeding schedule, your pet will quickly pick it up and start acting out to communicate its hunger, like scaling the walls of the enclosure.

They are highly intelligent animals, and it’s their way of notifying you that it’s time or feeding day.

Improper temperatures

Ball pythons, like all reptiles, depend on your home’s temperature to stay healthy and content.

To keep their body temperatures in check, they will roam around the enclosure.

Your pet may climb the top of the enclosure to get as close to the basking lamp as possible if your temps are not high enough to provide the warmth they require.     

Regularly use a digital thermometer with a remote probe to check the temperature within the enclosure.

The probe can be put inside the enclosure where you’ll be keeping an eye on the temperature.

Temperatures suitable for ball pythons are:

Warm side – 80º to 85ºF

Cool side – 75ºF to 80ºF

Basking area – 88ºF to 92ºF

Can ball pythons climb walls?

Ball pythons can’t climb walls

They don’t have the ability to do so where as a gecko can

Other snakes can climb walls if it’s not smooth like an uneven wall with bricks or stone

What are signs of stress in a ball python?

If you are not sure if your ball python is stressed it can be confusing

It’s important to know what signs to look out for

Here’s a list of signs of a ball python stressed out

  • Hissing
  • Striking
  • Biting
  • Head-hiding
  • Poor appetite
  • Escaping
  • Vomiting
  • Coiling
  • Sedentary behavior

If your snake exhibits any of these signs, you need to act quickly to fix any problems

Otherwise a trip to the vets and getting expert advice from a veterinarian would be a good idea

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